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Animals & Wildlife
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FAQ

How It Works
Destinations
Project Focus
Animals & Wildlife
About us
FAQ

Provide Quality Care to Children in Need

Give orphaned or abandoned children quality care, compassion and a sense of hope.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:

Singles

Couples

Groups

50+

The program

Volunteers on this important program will work within one of three locations around Sri Lanka - Badulla, Galle and Wattala. Volunteers may choose which location they wish to work in on this essential program. All three sites provide quality care to children in need – however desperately require volunteers to help them with caring for and spending time with the children. The recent war, poverty and a very low standard of living has sadly resulted in many cases where children are left orphaned and un-cared for – requiring a home and adults to supply much-need care and attention. Volunteers will supply this – providing hands-on care and, most importantly, their time, talking to and playing with the children. They may also like to read to them, and help with their studies. This one on one time will greatly help and boost their confidence levels. The children greatly benefit from the support and attention that they receive from international volunteers, who are greatly appreciated by the local carers and children.

Goals of this Project:

Provide essential care to vulnerable children in Sri Lanka

Improve the future prospects of children with education support

Give orphaned or abandoned children quality care, compassion and a sense of hope

Enable inter-cultural exchange which benefits both locals and international volunteers alike.

How you can help

Volunteers play an essential role in helping disadvantaged children through this program. Volunteers undertaking this placement assist local staff with daily routines such as bathing, dressing, feeding, assisting with nursing care, organizing exercise activities and games, assisting with personal and environmental hygiene education, cleaning and laundry tasks. Depending on their experience, volunteers may also give additional assistance by providing basic English lessons, and assisting the older children with their homework. Please note that this placement has a strict dress code. Volunteers should wear conservative clothing with knee length pants or skirts, and appropriate tops. Volunteers on the program are encouraged to use their skills and interests to assist carers in developing activities for the children, such as music and dance, sports, arts and crafts, etc. Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways on this program and can expect to undertake the following tasks:

Help to feed and care for the children

Help to teach the children

Attend to and interact with the children

Create activities and entertain the children with games

Typical day

A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 4 and 6 hours and while we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:

7:30amBreakfast at your accommodtion

8:30amTravel to the program site

8:45amPre-start meeting with the program supervisor

9:00amVOLUNTEERING DUTIES START

Lunch is provided at the Volunteer Centre, normally from 12:00 - 1:30pm.

4:00pmVOLUNTEERING DUTIES END

Volunteers may wish to take part in optional activities after 4pm including sporting activities, awareness programs and cultural shows.

7:00pmDinner at the Volunteer House

EveningFree time to relax

Details on Arrival

This project is available in April, August and December each year. Programs start every SATURDAY. Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.

Free-time activities

This amazing program works with childcare centers in three locations: Wattala, Galle and Badulla. Volunteers can note their preference for a particular location if they wish or allow our local team to assign them according to need and best fit.

Wattala lies some 10 mins away from the capital city of Colombo and contains enough diversity and interest to engage every visitor.

Galle is the historic jewel in Sri Lanka's crown. A UNESCO World Heritage site and famous for its eponymous Fort this port city is an absolute delight and rewards visitors with its architecture, culture and atmosphere. Transport to Galle is arranged by our local team and included in the program fee.

Badulla is an inland town, set amidst soaring mountains and hills covered in tea plantations. An eco-tourism hub and one of Sri Lanka's oldest towns this is an authentic and restful place in which to be based. Volunteers take a 12 hour scenic train ride from Colombo (the cost of which is included in the program fee) to Badulla. The train departs from Colombo Fort Train Station and the local team will make all arrangements and assist volunteers onto the train (the cost is included in the program fee). The journey takes participants through some of the most amazing scenery this beautiful country has to offer and is highly recommended.

Swimming

Hiking

Museum/Opera

Yoga/Meditation

Program Requirements

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date.
There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak
English
(basic level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Education Requirements

at High School level

Required Documents

Emergency contact, Resume and Passport

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

This highly interactive and varied project does not require participants to have a background in the field of childcare, as there are many ways you can assist. However, volunteers with suitable education, qualifications or experience are highly sought after. Regardless, a volunteer’s individual role can often be tailored to suit their particular skills and interests.

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Upon arrival into Colombo you will be met at the airport by our local team. Transport is provided to the Volunteer Center in Wattala and accommodation is provided here for all volunteers with those participating on programs in Galle and Badulla making their way to these destinations on Sunday (Galle volunteers may take the train directly from Colombo to Galle if arriving early in the day).

An orientation session will take place when time permits to cover local and regional customs, basic words and phrases, transport and, of course, what to expect from your volunteering experience.

If you are volunteering in Galle or Badulla you will be assisted on to the train, met on arrival and taken to the Volunteer Centre and Host Family (if applicable). Local staff will provide a training session pertinent to your placement and our team will go over local amenities and answer any questions you may have.

Volunteers on this wonderful program will either be accommodated within the fully equipped Volunteer Centre or with trusted local Host Families. In both cases rooms are comfortable and may be shared with up to 2 other volunteers.

The Volunteer Centre provides all the necessary amenities and is open to all volunteers regardless of where they are accommodated. Facilities include hot showers, laundry and kitchen areas, free Wifi, fans and air-conditioning (available on request in the summer months). Bed linen is provided at both the Volunteer Centre and Host Family homes so volunteers need only take personal toiletries and towel(s).

Host families are experienced at caring for our volunteers and make everyone feel welcome. Their homes may be basic by international standards but this is more than made up for by generosity of spirit. Wifi and laundry facilities may not be available in the host family home and volunteers are encouraged to make use of these at the Volunteer Centre. The Volunteer Centre is located close to the placements and to host families so it’s super easy to get around.

Volunteers for programs in Badulla and Galle (dependent on arrival timing) will spend their first night in the Volunteer Centre in Wattala before travelling to their destination the following day. Our local team makes all in-country transport and accommodation arrangements so it’s stress-free.

Dorm Room
Guest Family

Food & Beverages

Three simple and delicious meals are provided daily throughout the placement at both the Volunteer Centre and host family homes. Sri Lankan cuisine is redolent of many neighbouring countries including Thailand, Vietnam and Indian. Full of flavoursome spices it is sure to delight every palate. Staples of rice and a wide range of curries are accompanied by divine vegetable dishes and condiments such as the chilli based

sambal.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo. We assist you to find cheap flights to Sri Lanka.

You can volunteer at the project site in
Bandarawela/Sri Lanka
between
4
weeks
and
12
weeks.
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated and subject to exchange rate fluctuations.
Love Volunteers
will let you know about the final price during your application process.

Crowdfunding Service

Generally, volunteering abroad involves certain costs. In case you need financial support, we will assist you to fundraise your volunteer program in Sri Lanka.

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider.
If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

Final Payment (85%)

Your final payment will be agreed with Love Volunteers during the application process.
Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

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